I usually just use my electric hair trimmer. Isn't a clean shave, but I like a bit of stubble.
But yes, good cartridge razors are expensive, but they can be used many times before they're dull, so really, they're worth the price.
If I do shave with crappy razors, it usually takes me 3 to 5 of them, whereas an expensive one, I can use it 3 to 5 times.

I use a Gillette Fusion Power with the mini trimmer thing on the end. Useful for sideboards and if you have a beard.
It is quite expensive for the blades but you can pick up value packs for £20 which usually come with 8-10 blades and the razor. Just buy that dump the razor and use the blades. Works out cheaper. A blade for me usually lasts 2-3 months. So £20 once a year isn't so bad.

I find the double edge safety razor quite superior to the multiblade cartridge ones. It's much nicer over all shave & much better for my face. With two or three passes you can get super clean shave with razor burn.

I changed to DE razor before Christmas for the same reasons as you cost, plus i have redness on the side of my face and sometimes above my lip and because i know its there it annoys me so i feel others see it too so my "theory" was if i used a decent razor like a DE and shaving cream thats all natural unlike the canned stuff it would help it. Also since changing i find i enjoy shaving more and spend more time doing it for the perfect shave, cause you have to be a little more careful because you do nip yourself a little more than with the gillette's. (Cut my lip and it bled all day lol)

i bought a while back a double edged safety razor for $3 (stainless steel) and 1000 Razor blades $8 (stainless steel) online, I do a full shave every Sunday with this razor, and then Tuesday and Thursdays I do a quick touch up with an electric during the mornings while i get ready for work.

You need SensoTouch 3d. It cuts close like a razor. Alternatively you can use something called Magic Shave powder. While it is primarily marketed towards African Americans, it does work on all skin types and colors. It does kind of reek like Nair until you take a shower but nothing cuts closer than this period that's razorless.